
A coordinated effort between Barrie Police and South Simcoe Police has led to the arrest of a man linked to multiple auto theft investigations.
The incident that triggered the investigation occurred April 30 when a man gained access to a Toyota Tundra parked in the area of Bryne Dr. in Barrie. He eventually stole the vehicle by manipulating the on-board diagnostics port.
After noticing his vehicle had gone missing, its owner accessed its GPS system and supplied the information to Barrie Police and Ontario Provincial Police.
The thief was eventually stopped and arrested in Quinte West travelling eastbound on Highway 401. He was identified as a 34-year-old from Quebec who was linked to three other auto theft investigations thanks to the Barrie Police-South Simcoe Police Street Crime Auto Theft Unit.
The man is now facing nine criminal charges related to four vehicle theft incidents and remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.